There is a very important ability in the new creation that makes "dating", as the world (& some saints) knows it, unnecessary. In order to understand my phronesis on dating, it would help to clarify my understanding of dating. Dating is the friendship zone which requires exclusivity. It doesn't only include going out to places together but, also, that period of time when the couple are monogamous in a romantic relationship.
The relationship is similar, in everything except the wedding ceremony, to a married couple. Also the parents and older members of the families of the couple might not be aware of the relationship. However, every other thing happens as in a marriage. Dating is marriage without the formal commitment.
For saints, it's more comical and amusing. It's so because they deceive themselves by saying we're getting to know each other if we're compatible. Idiotic really. It's only themselves that deceiving, ven where there's no sex, so many other things do happen. Kissing (tongue not peck), petting (light and heavy breathing category), "dry humping", "onanism" etc.
For many Christians who date, they seek to know if this is the one. By dating, they evaluate different things at close quarters to help them make up their minds.
Tragic.
How did we get to the point where we now walk by sight? How are we in a place where we're now comfortable with being in the senses? Philippians 3:3.
How can you be comfortable with choosing your partner for life through going out to dinner, cinema, church service etc and questioning them on tithing, speaking in tongues, pastors etc?
I thought we're to be led by the Spirit? I thought that's part of our identkit? I thought we're His sheep and we hear His voice?
Paul perceived that a journey would be problematic. Is His Holy Spirit different from ours? Jesus knew all men. He knew the intent of their hearts. John 2:23–25. Isn't the same Holy Spirit in us?
When I was younger in the faith, one of my best and most enjoyable pastimes was listening to stories of men & women who experienced supernatural living 24/7. Men & women, who through the leading of the Holy Spirit and God's voice in their lives, who made business decisions, ministry decisions, marital decisions etc that were spot on.
I honestly didn't listen to stories about mere mortal natural and carnal men and women doing mortal and carnal things like revenge, infidelity, fighting, lying etc
I practiced hearing God. I cultivated my human spirit. There are stories that I don't listen to and I don't watch except it's absolutely necessary.
I don't watch or read stories of marital infidelity. I find them really upsetting.
I don't read or watch stories of divorce or breakups. It's just me.
I have enough work in striving to renew my mind. I'm not going to complicate things by soiling the renewed mind and beginning over again.
I remember a song from my university days in which a line in the lyrics says:
"A mind is a terrible thing to waste".
I agree 100%.